Travel between India & Japan

Planning a trip — or just landed? Practical tips for getting around, staying connected, and settling in, both ways.

Planning your first trip to Japan, or already finding your feet? Here are the essentials.

Get an IC card (Suica / PASMO)

One tap pays for trains, buses, and even convenience stores. Buy it at any station; load it with cash.

Consider a JR Pass for long distances

If you’ll hop between cities by Shinkansen, the rail pass can save a lot — but do the maths for your route first.

Carry some cash

Cards are widely accepted, but small shops and shrines are often cash-only. 7-Eleven ATMs take foreign cards.

Get connected at the airport

Pick up a pocket Wi-Fi or an eSIM the moment you land — navigation and translation apps are your lifeline.

Mind the quiet etiquette

Trains are quiet, there’s no tipping, and bins are rare — carry a small bag for your trash until you find one.

6-day itineraries

Three ways to spend a first week — arrival and departure included.

Tokyo & the Golden Route

The greatest hits — perfect for a first time in Japan.

1Arrive in Tokyo, settle into Shinjuku
2Tokyo: Asakusa, Meiji Shrine, Shibuya
3Day trip to Hakone — Mt. Fuji & onsen
4Bullet train to Kyoto; evening in Gion
5Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Arashiyama
6Back to Tokyo and depart

Three Cities: Osaka–Nara–Kyoto

Food, friendly deer, and timeless temples.

1Arrive in Osaka, dinner in Dotonbori
2Osaka: castle and street food
3Day trip to Nara — deer & Great Buddha
4Move to Kyoto; temples and tea
5Kyoto: Gion & Arashiyama bamboo
6Depart from Osaka (Kansai)

Nature & Onsen Escape

Slow days, hot springs, and Mt. Fuji views.

1Arrive in Tokyo
2To Hakone — open-air museum & onsen
3Lake Kawaguchi & Mt. Fuji views
4Kamakura — coast, shrines, big Buddha
5Tokyo highlights & shopping
6Depart

10-day itineraries

Two slower routes that go a little deeper.

Classic Japan, End to End

Tokyo to Hiroshima at a steady, comfortable pace.

1Arrive in Tokyo
2Tokyo: Asakusa, Shibuya, teamLab
3Hakone — Mt. Fuji & onsen
4Bullet train to Kyoto
5Kyoto: Fushimi Inari & Arashiyama
6Day trip to Nara
7Osaka — castle & street food
8Hiroshima & Miyajima
9Back to Tokyo — last shopping
10Depart

North & Nature: Tokyo to Hokkaido

City lights to wide-open northern landscapes.

1Arrive in Tokyo
2Tokyo highlights
3Nikko — shrines & forest
4Fly to Sapporo
5Sapporo & Otaru canal
6Furano & Biei — fields or snow
7Hakodate — bay & night view
8Back to Tokyo
9Kamakura day trip
10Depart

Popular activities by city

Tokyo

•Sensō-ji temple & old-town Asakusa
•Shibuya Crossing & Harajuku
•teamLab digital art museum

Kyoto

•Fushimi Inari’s torii gates
•Arashiyama bamboo grove
•Tea ceremony in Gion

Osaka

•Dotonbori food crawl
•Osaka Castle
•Universal Studios Japan

Hakone

•Soak in a hot-spring onsen
•Lake Ashi pirate-ship cruise
•Mt. Fuji viewpoints

Hiroshima

•Peace Memorial Park
•Miyajima’s floating torii
•Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki

What to do, by season

Spring

Mar–May

Cherry blossoms (hanami)

Ueno Park, Tokyo · Philosopher’s Path, Kyoto

Summer

Jun–Aug

Fireworks & summer matsuri

Sumida River, Tokyo · climb Mt. Fuji

Autumn

Sep–Nov

Autumn leaves (kōyō)

Arashiyama, Kyoto · Nikko

Winter

Dec–Feb

Snow, skiing & onsen

Niseko, Hokkaido · city illuminations

Useful links

Trusted sites for planning your trip and finding what’s on in Japan.

Japan National Tourism Organization

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Japan’s official national travel guide.

Go Tokyo

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Tokyo’s official tourism site.

Japan Guide

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Trusted travel info, routes, and reviews.

Time Out Tokyo

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What’s on in Tokyo — events, food, nightlife.

Tokyo Cheapo

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Budget guides and event listings.

Peatix

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Find and book local events & meetups.

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